Department of Health and Social Care

IVF

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Markham on 22 June (HL8340), whether the implantation failure rate for all other treatments is therefore incomparably low relative to that to date for pronuclear transfer; or whether the number of successful treatments to date for pronuclear transfer is incomparably low; and what is the implantation failure rate for all other treatments regulated by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.

Lord Markham: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has advised that it has not made any assessment of whether the implantation failure rate for all other treatments is incomparably low relative to that to date for pronuclear transfer; or whether the number of successful treatments to date for pronuclear transfer is incomparably low. The HFEA routinely publish implantation success rates. The implantation failure rate is the remainder.The following table shows the average implantation rate and implantation failure rate per embryo transferred from fresh embryo transfer using patients eggs by patient age, 2021.YearImplantation rate per embryo transferredImplantation failure rate per embryo transferredAge 18 to 34 years old41%59%Age 35 to 37 years old33%67%Age 38 to 39 years old25%75%Age 40 to 42 years old16%84%Age 43 to 50 years old6%94%Source: HFEAImplantation rates for 2021 are preliminary. This data includes IVF treatment cycles begun with the intention of having a live birth only and includes fresh embryo transfers. PGT-A/M/SR treatments and treatments using donor eggs or surrogacy have been excluded.

Diseases

Lord Mendelsohn: To ask His Majesty's Government what practical stepsthey are taking to embed lessons from the pandemic response to ensure future pandemic preparedness.

Lord Markham: The United Kingdom has flexible and well-tested pandemic response capabilities. Learning the lessons from COVID-19, we are working with the Centre for Pandemic Preparedness in the UK Health Security Agency to ensure a flexible and capabilities-based approach to pandemic preparedness which will see emergency planners develop and maintain a generic suite of response capabilities across Government. This will enable an approach that can be flexibly deployed to meet the demands of any future pandemic and provide a whole-system response.We cannot perfectly predict the characteristics of a new pandemic pathogen and therefore our strategic approach to pandemic preparedness constantly evolves in response to new scientific information, lessons learned from prior pandemics, responses to other infectious disease outbreaks and rigorous exercises to test our response mechanisms.Public hearings for Module 1 of the UK COVID-19 Inquiry commenced on 13 June 2023 and will run for six weeks. The Department acknowledges there are valuable lessons to be learnt from COVID-19 to inform our preparedness for future pandemics.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Baroness Bull: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to (1) the remarks byLord Markham on 25 April (HL Deb col 1092), and (2) the letter fromLord Markham to all members on 1 June, when their position on the private purchase of COVID-19 vaccinations changed from that given in the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Health and Social Care on 9 January (113401) when she stated that "theGovernment currently has no plans to allow private purchase of COVID-19 vaccines"; and (a) when, and (b) by what means, this information was made publicly available.

Lord Markham: On 25 January 2023, the Government published Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advice that the primary course COVID-19 vaccination should move, over the course of 2023, towards a more targeted offer during vaccination campaigns to protect those persons at higher risk of severe COVID-19. As the JCVI updates its clinical advice, the Government has and will continue to review its policy position, working with manufacturers, clinicians and other appropriate stakeholders. There is currently no private provision of COVID-19 vaccination in the UK and the Government has no plans to provide information regarding the private purchase of COVID-19 vaccines. We continue to develop options for the future supply of COVID-19 vaccines. We would expect private healthcare providers, including pharmacies, to inform the public if, and when, the option to purchase a COVID-19 vaccination becomes available in the United Kingdom.

NHS: Procurement

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Markhamon 7 June (HL7873), what assessment they have made of the implications for (1) openness, (2) transparency, and (3) accountability in public procurement, of their decision not to place those items in the Library of the House.

Lord Markham: As part of the Value Based Procurement (VBP) programme, NHS Supply Chain (NHSSC) has developed a toolkit and two VBP models. The toolkit and models are designed for internal use by NHSSC’s procurement teams and Category Management Service Providers and are not available for publication as they are commercially sensitive.Recognising the public interest in openness, transparency and accountability in public procurement, NHSSC is supporting awareness of VBP across the National Health Service and the supplier community. NHSSC has a dedicated VBP website that is updated as the programme evolves. This website contains the 2021 ‘Value Based Procurement Project Report and Findings’ that has an overview of the VBP toolkit.

Integrated Care boards

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask His Majesty's Government what is theirpolicy justification for deciding not to define an integrated care board as a “relevant body” in regulation 2 of the National Health Service Commissioning Board and Clinical Commissioning Groups (Responsibilities and Standing Rules) Regulations 2012, with the effect that a range of patient rights formerly imposed on clinical commissioning groups are not now imposed on integrated care boards.

Lord Markham: ‘The National Health Service (Integrated Care Boards: Responsibilities) Regulations 2022’ has made consequential amendments to regulation 2 of the NHS Commissioning Board and Clinical Commissioning Groups (Responsibilities and Standing Rules) Regulations 2012, replacing references to Clinical Commissioning Groups with integrated care boards (ICBs). ICBs are now the statutory bodies responsible for patient rights.

Incontinence

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask His Majesty's Government, further tothe Written Answer byLord Markham on 7 June (HL7873), what assessment they have made of whether the use of the current toolkit and models ensures that patients have clinically appropriate absorbent incontinence products, without any (1) increase in leaks, (2) reduction in mobility, (3) loss of dignity, (4) reduction in quality of life, or (5) any risk of (a) skin infections, and (b) pressure ulcers.

Lord Markham: The disposable continence framework in place at NHS Supply Chain runs until August 2025. All suppliers and products on the NHS Supply Chain framework must meet industry standards and a quality specification to be awarded onto the framework. Products are categorised using the Rothwell scale which measures the level of absorbency.NHS Supply Chain are currently in the process of working on two separate value-based procurement projects, both of which aim to concentrate on the key fundamental areas outlined in the question.In addition, the Government's new Medical Technology Strategy, published in February 2023, identified incontinence products as one area of focus. The Department will work with clinicians to review, assess and categorise similar products to lay the foundations for value-based procurement. This assessment of products will be shared with NHS Supply Chain and other organisations involved in the purchase of incontinence products.

Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing and Access

Lord Warner: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether the Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing and Access has caused a reduction in the supply of biosimilar medicines, and any associated impact on (1) patient outcomes, (2) NHS finances in the short term, and (3) the ability to make cost-savings in the longer term.

Lord Markham: The Department recognises the important role that biosimilars and generics play in ensuring affordability, patient access, and supply resilience. We have not seen convincing evidence that the voluntary scheme for branded medicines pricing and access has had an impact on medicines supply including biosimilars, given available mitigations such as provisions in the scheme for companies to apply for price increases should supply of products be otherwise uneconomical.

Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing and Access

Lord Warner: To ask His Majesty's Government what volume of sales under the Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing and Access are off-patent medicines; and how the suppliers of such medicines are represented in negotiations for the next scheme.

Lord Markham: The information requested is not held centrally. It would not be appropriate for us to comment on a representation of the off-patent sector as this is closely connected with an ongoing legal case.

Social Workers

Lord Jones: To ask His Majesty's Government how many people are working in social care roles in England.

Lord Markham: According to Skills for Care, there were 1.5 million people working in adult social care roles in England in 2021/22.

Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing and Access

Lord Clement-Jones: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they havemade of whether any disinvestment decisions have been taken in the UK because of the rebates imposed on companies through the Voluntary Schemefor Branded Medicines Pricing and Access.

Lord Markham: The Government has considered in broad terms the link between volume-based rebate payments in our medicine pricing schemes and various kinds of investment in our impact assessment of recent updates to the statutory scheme for branded medicines pricing, which operates alongside the voluntary scheme for branded medicines pricing and access (VPAS).There are several factors which influence company investment decisions in any particular country or region. Available evidence suggests that supply side factors, such as availability of expert scientific labour and favourable tax conditions are of greatest significance in the decision on future investment. However, we understand that price regulation schemes such as VPAS may be a consideration in the decision to locate some investments, which is why we are committed to agreeing a successor voluntary scheme to VPAS that supports a strong United Kingdom life sciences sector.

Tobacco

Lord Young of Cookham: To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they haveto disseminate the guidance published by the Department of Health and Social Care ongov.uk for government engagement with the tobacco industry to all of government, including executive, legislative and judicial branches of government at national and local level, as well as all public authorities.

Lord Markham: The Department has written to other Government Departments who may engage with the tobacco industry to inform them of the publication of ‘Guidance for government engagement with the tobacco industry’ that was published 19 June 2023. A copy attached. A version of the guidance tailored to local authorities developed in collaboration with the Local Government Association will be published shortly.Attachment (pdf, 264.2KB)

Babies: Vaccination

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that there is a budget available for an universal infant immunisation programme for the 2024–2025 winter season.

Lord Markham: The Government provides funding for seven childhood vaccination programmes throughout the year which protect lifetime protection from serious diseases like measles, polio, and meningitis. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation are also actively considering new programmes, such as the potential for an expanded or universal Respiratory Syncytial Virus programme for 2024/2025.

Lyme Disease

Lord Leong: To ask His Majesty's Government what research they have commissioned into Lyme disease; and what investment they have made to support finding a cure for that disease.

Lord Markham: Two studies on Lyme disease are being undertaken in association with National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Emerging and Zoonotic Infections Health Protection Research Unit. One is focussing on studying the evolution of disease in patients, and the second is examining the evidence of exposure to the Lyme disease bacteria in the English population by region, using blood samples from the NHS Blood Transfusion & Transplant Service.Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics and patients typically recover quickly and fully. Guidance accords with best practice used in the US and across Europe and is based upon the available evidence. A number of private clinics offer expensive and complex treatment regimens, caution should be exercised when accessing these services as treatments may not be supported by scientific evidence.

Social Workers: Recruitment

Lord Jones: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are takingto encourage, through organised career structures,more people to enter roles in the care sector.

Lord Markham: We are developing a Care Workforce Pathway, which will set out the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to work in adult social care, as well as a clear career structure for the workforce. We intend to publish the first part of the pathway, focused on staff in direct care roles, in autumn 2023.

Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing and Access

Lord Clement-Jones: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have considered re-instating the reports to Parliament on the Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing and Access.

Lord Markham: The Department has no plans to re-instate the reports to parliament, which were a requirement under the 2014 Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme. This requirement was not included in the 2019 voluntary scheme for branded medicines pricing and access. The governance of any future voluntary scheme is subject to ongoing negotiations.

NHS: LGBT+ People

Lord Lucas: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the article by the NHS ConfederationLeadingfor all: supporting trans and non-binary healthcare staff, published in June; and what status that guidance has within the NHS.

Lord Markham: No specific assessment has been made. The guidance has not been issued by NHS England and it does not need to be followed by individual trusts. Whilst it is important we support staff working in the National Health Service, we also need to ensure that patients’ privacy and dignity is respected.

Abortion: Medical Records

Baroness Eaton: To ask His Majesty's Government, per theirguidance note for completing HSA4 paper forms and guidance note for completing HSA4 electronic forms, whether or how follow-up care is provided in cases where (1) all medicine was administered in hospital or clinic, (2) one medicine was administered in hospital or clinic and one medicine was administered at the patient’s usual place of residence or home, and (3)all medicines were administered at the patient’s usual place of residence or home, so as to ensure that proper care is provided should any complications arise, and the appropriate reporting is undertaken.

Lord Markham: The Department’s Required Standard Operating Procedures for the approval of independent sector places for termination of pregnancy in England, which all independent abortion providers must comply with, sets out that all providers should have protocols in place to support women following an abortion procedure, whether medicines are administered in the home or other approved place.Women should be informed as early as possible of the most common physical, emotional or psychological symptoms following an abortion, including after use of pills at home for early medical abortion. Information should also include what to do in an emergency situation as well as routine follow-up.On discharge, women must be given a letter providing sufficient information about the procedure to allow another healthcare practitioner to manage any complications and/or ongoing care. A 24-hour dedicated support line which specialises in post-abortion support and care should be offered by the abortion provider.

Neurodiversity: Children

Baroness Hodgson of Abinger: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made ofcurrent NHS wait times for neurodiversity assessments for children; and what steps they are taking to reduce them.

Lord Markham: No specific assessment has been made. NHS England publish quarterly experimental data on how many people, including children, are waiting for an autism assessment. Whilst we recognise that a significant percentage of autism assessments for children are reported through the Community Services Data Set, which is currently not reported on within this publication, the reported data provides useful information to support local areas to assess local demand and adequacy of services.Additionally, in a Westminster Hall debate, on 1 February 2023, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Mental Health and Women's Health Strategy at the Department of Health and Social Care committed to look at how we can improve data on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessment waiting times, to help improve access to ADHD assessments in a timely way and in line with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. On 5 April 2023, NHS England published a national framework and operational guidance for autism assessment services. This guidance, published in an online only format, will help the NHS improve their autism assessment pathways and improve the experience for children and young people referred to an autism assessment service.This year, 2023/2024, £4.2 million is available to improve services for autistic children and young people, including autism assessment services and pre- and post-diagnostic support, and the continuation of the Autism in Schools programme. We are committed to increasing investment into mental health services by at least £2.3 billion a year by March 2024 and have set out our aim in the NHS Long Term Plan for an additional 345,000 children and young people to be able to get the mental health support they need.

Health Services: Asylum

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are giving GPs different advice about the provision of treatments and services to asylum-seekers as compared to provision for the general population.

Lord Markham: Anyone in England can register and consult with a general practitioner without charge, including people seeking asylum. Asylum seekers are particularly vulnerable to potential health needs because of their experiences either before, during or after migration. Additional services may be locally commissioned by the National Health Service, including from general practice, to identify and manage such health needs. Information for healthcare professionals on meeting the health needs of migrants is available in the Migrant Health Guide, which is produced by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities.

Doctors: Strikes

Lord Blencathra: To ask His Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the number of doctors striking on days when they were due to work and instead undertaking locum work in other hospitals.

Lord Markham: NHS England does not collect or hold information to the level of detail being requested. The general figures for workforce absences on each of the major strike days to date are available in an online only format.

Department for Work and Pensions

Personal Independence Payment: Appeals

Lord Field of Birkenhead: To ask His Majesty's Government (1) how many, and what proportion of, existing claimants receiving Personal Independence Payment Review forms in each of the past 12 months have (a) requested an extension, (b) had their request accepted, or (c) had their request rejected; (2) how many, and what proportion of, Personal Independence Payment Review forms issued in each of the past 12 months have been (a) returned on time, (b) returned late, and (c) not returned; and (3) how many, and what proportion of, claimants making a telephone call regarding a Personal Independence Payment Review form in the past 12 months have (a) waited on hold for longer than 60 minutes, or (b) had their call disconnected.

Viscount Younger of Leckie: We can confirm that the department holds some of the information requested. We have numbered your questions and our response to each, for ease of reference. Extensions to Review formsThe information requested (extensions and acceptance status) is not readily available, and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost. The department recognises the importance of claimants having the opportunity to provide information, and evidence about their disabilities, and health conditions, in their review forms in support of their awards, and there are existing provisions available that allow additional time, and support, to those who require it. For Personal Independence Payment (PIP), safeguards are already in place to allow for additional time for claimants to submit their Award Review 1 (AR1) form. Claimants can ask for additional time to complete their AR1 form and can do so on more than one occasion. Return of Review forms The information requested for on-time and late AR1 form returns is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost. Data for AR1 forms not returned has been provided in the table below. Data is available up to the end of April 2023, but since the default time allowance for returning an AR1 form is 40 days, the latest two months of data for AR1 forms issued have not been included. It is worth noting there are multiple reasons a form may not be returned within 40 days, or at all, without a resulting disallowance. For example, where a claimant has an additional support marker, or where an extension has been granted. On average, only 7% of claimants in the time period, who received AR1 forms, were disallowed for non-return. Table 1 below shows, for each of the latest 12 months of useable data, how many AR1 forms were issued and how many, and what proportion, were not returned by the end of available data. This will include claimants who have not returned their form, but have not been disallowed for the reasons explained previously. Table 1: Number and proportion of AR1 forms not returned by 30th April 2023Month AR1 form was issuedTotal number of AR1 forms sent out in monthNumber of AR1 forms not returned by 30th April 2023Proportion of AR1 forms not returned by 30th April 2023Mar 2242,60012,90030%Apr 2242,80011,30026%May 2246,60012,50027%Jun 2248,60012,20025%Jul 2248,60011,90024%Aug 2255,00013,50025%Sep 2252,70013,10025%Oct 2248,60012,60026%Nov 2253,00013,40025%Dec 2251,20010,00019%Jan 2360,20015,00025%Feb 2349,50014,30029% Data Source: PIP Atomic Data Source (ADS) Notes:Figures have been rounded to the nearest 100;Data for England and Wales only;Data excludes claimants with special rules for the terminally ill. Telephone calls regarding Review forms The information requested (telephony figures for those relating to AR1 forms) is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Ministry of Defence

Fleet Solid Support Ships: Procurement

Lord West of Spithead: To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect the first fleet solid support ship to replace RFA Fort Victoria.

Baroness Goldie: The approved In Service Date for the first Fleet Solid Support ship is 2031. The Royal Navy expects to manage RFA Fort Victoria's operational status as necessary to maintain solid support ship availability during the capability transition period.

RFA Wave Knight and RFA Wave Ruler

Lord West of Spithead: To ask His Majesty's Government what is the annual cost of keeping RFA Wave Ruler and RFA Wave Knight in reserve status.

Baroness Goldie: The annual cost for the safe keeping and upkeep of Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) WAVE RULER and RFA WAVE KNIGHT is circa £4 million in total. These costs include care and protection, dehumidification and continuation of mandatory maintenance to remain in class.

RFA Wave Knight and RFA Wave Ruler

Lord West of Spithead: To ask His Majesty's Government what are their estimated sale prices for RFA Wave Ruler and RFA Wave Knight.

Baroness Goldie: On current plans, RFA WAVE RULER and RFA WAVE KNIGHT are not for sale. Therefore, no assessment has been made regarding a potential sales price.

RFA Fort Victoria

Lord West of Spithead: To ask His Majesty's Government what is the current status of RFA Fort Victoria.

Baroness Goldie: Royal Fleet Auxiliary FORT VICTORIA is not in planned maintenance and is therefore available.

RFA Wave Knight and RFA Wave Ruler

Lord West of Spithead: To ask His Majesty's Government, what were the expected service lives of (1) RFA Wave Ruler, and (2) RFA Wave Knight, when they were introduced.

Baroness Goldie: The WAVE class ships were built with a design service life of 25 years. Material condition of all platforms are carefully monitored and, if required, service life can be adjusted based on service need and appropriate evidence.

Ukraine: Armoured Fighting Vehicles

Earl Attlee: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Goldie on 15 May (HL7499), whether it is the Ministry of Defence that is the Government department leading on ensuring that the government of Ukraine and its armed forces have all the armoured fighting vehicles that are required.

Baroness Goldie: The Ministry of Defence is the UK Government Department leading on the granting of military equipment to Ukraine, including armoured fighting vehicles. To date, the UK has provided over 300 armoured and protected mobility vehicles to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Treasury

Roads: Tolls

Viscount Waverley: To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have held regarding the development of a national road charging scheme.

Baroness Penn: As set out in a letter to the Transport Select Committee in January 2023[1], the Government is currently focusing on delivering on its key priorities and does not currently have plans to consider road pricing. [1] https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/34225/documents/188339/default/

Customs

Viscount Waverley: To ask His Majesty's Government when they intend to release comprehensive guidelines outlining the functionalities of the UK Single Trade Window for the benefit of traders.

Baroness Penn: The Government provided an overview of proposed UK Single Trade Window (STW) functionality in the draft Border Target Operating Model (TOM) which was published on 5 April 2023. A final version of the TOM is expected to be published shortly and will include additional detail on STW functionality in response to stakeholder feedback on the April 2023 draft. More comprehensive information will become available over time as STW functionality is developed and released incrementally.

Iron and Steel: Carbon Emissions

Baroness Redfern: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether not implementing a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism could leave the UK open to high-emission steel dominating the UK market and having a detrimental effect on the UK steel industry.

Baroness Penn: Carbon leakage risk is currently managed by at-risk sectors, including steel, receiving a proportion of carbon allowances free of charge (free allocation) in the UK Emissions Trading Scheme. The UK ETS Authority has committed to maintain current levels of free allocation for industrial sectors until 2026. There is a further consultation at the end of 2023 to better target the remaining free allocations toward sectors considered to be at risk of carbon leakage, due to be implemented in 2026. The government has recently consulted on potential future measures to mitigate carbon leakage risks, including the potential for a UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). The consultation closed on 22 June 2023, and the government is considering a wide range of stakeholder responses before taking any decisions. The government will respond to the consultation in due course.

Pension Funds: Investment

Baroness Bowles of Berkhamsted: To ask His Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the tax relief that will be claimed on future payments made by companies to replace liability-driven investment asset losses in pension schemes, taking into account the Office for National Statistics' increased estimate for losses of £545 billion.

Baroness Penn: Defined benefit (DB) schemes in aggregate are now better funded, compared to a year ago. This is because of an increase in long-term Gilt yields, which affect the assumptions about the returns scheme trustees can expect on investments over time (though experience will vary among individual DB schemes). This improvement in funding levels takes into account any change in the reported value of schemes’ assets. As a result, no material increase in tax relief on employer contributions paid by the sponsors of such schemes is expected.

Home Office

Migrants: Hong Kong

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask His Majesty's Government, following the recent alleged assault on Hong Kong protestors by Chinese activists in Southampton, what assessment they have made of the provisionsin place to protect people from Hong Kong who have moved to the UK from (1) physical, and (2) non-physical, intimidation from mainland Chinese individuals and groups.

Lord Sharpe of Epsom: It would not be appropriate to comment on individual cases. As you would expect, we continually assess potential threats in the UK, and take protection of individuals’ rights, freedoms, and safety in the UK very seriously.Through our world class police forces and the agencies that work with them, we take a proactive approach to protecting individuals and communities from all manner of threats. All at-risk communities should remain alert but not alarmed, and report incidents or suspicious activity through to the Police.Home Office officials work closely with the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office and the Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities, as well as other government departments, to ensure that the UK is a safe and welcoming place for both those who hold BN(O) (British National Overseas) status and other Hongkongers.In April 2021, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities launched the UK-wide Welcome Programme to support BN(O) status holders.The Programme includes:funding for local authorities in England to provide English language and destitution support,establishing 12 virtual Welcome Hubs across the UK,funding for organisations to deliver UK-wide and regional projects,a comprehensive Welcome Pack on GOV.UK which advises new arrivals on how to settle into life in the UK.More widely, The Security Minister is leading work to protect the democratic integrity of the UK from foreign interference through the Government's Defending Democracy Taskforce. A key priority for the Taskforce is to review the UK’s approach to transnational repression (foreign interference in communities) to ensure we have a robust and joined up response across government and law enforcement. Further, the National Security Bill, now in its final stages, represents the biggest overhaul of state threats legislation in a generation, and will drastically improve our tools to deal with the full range of state threat activity. The Bill contains provisions that will leave those seeking to coerce, including through threats of violence, for, or with the intention to benefit, a foreign state liable to prosecution in a way that they currently are not.

Asylum: Detainees

Lord Scriven: To ask His Majesty's Government whether, since 7 March, any individuals entering the UK to seek asylum by irregular routes have been held in detention; and if so, how many.

Lord Murray of Blidworth: The Home Office does not publish data on people entering detention broken down by arrival route.The Home Office publishes statistics on people entering detention in the Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release on gov.uk. The number of people entering detention can be broken down by asylum and non-asylum-related cases in table Det_01 of the detention summary tables.The latest data relates to the end of March 2023. Data up to the end of June 2023 will be published on 24 August 2023. table Det_01  (xlsx, 81.7KB)

HOPE not Hate

Lord Pearson of Rannoch: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Sharpe of Epsom on 2 June (HL7951),what action they have taken against (1) groups, or (2) individuals, of Islamist extremist concern; when they took that action; and what was the outcome.

Lord Sharpe of Epsom: Some groups publicly demonstrate behaviours that oppose the values and principles that underpin our society. The Government is committed to tackling those who spread Islamist views that promote violence and hatred against individuals and communities in our society. This includes using existing mechanisms to analyse, prevent and disrupt the spread of ideologies that can lead to community division.We assess all evidence of those that radicalise others though their support for or justification of violence and will not tolerate those who spread divisive and harmful narratives.We work with local, regional and national partners, including with policing, to reduce the impact of these groups in communities and limit their influence as a potential driver for radicalisation. We continue to work with law enforcement agencies and multi-agency partners to increase our understanding of new and emerging radicalising threats to society. Any violent threat is assessed and managed by the police and security services based on the threat that it is deemed to pose.The Home Office avoids publicly commenting on whether or not specific groups or individuals are of Islamist extremist concern, as this could have a detrimental effect on our ability to take future action against them.

Radicalism

Lord Pearson of Rannoch: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by the Minister of State for Immigration in answer to Stephen Farry on 29 March (HC Deb col 1033), whether they have adopted a common definition of "far-right"; and if so, what it is.

Lord Sharpe of Epsom: The Intelligence and Security Committee’s report on Extreme Right-Wing Terrorism defines Far Right as “an umbrella term to encapsulate the entire movement which has a Far-Right political outlook in relation to matters such as culture, race, immigration and identity”. The Home Office uses the definition as set out by the ISC in this report.

Demonstrations: Southampton

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports of an alleged assault on Hong Kong protestors in Southampton by Chinese activists.

Lord Sharpe of Epsom: Hampshire police are investigating these allegations, it would therefore be inappropriate to comment further on this specific case.Freedom of expression is fundamental to who we are as a country. We do not tolerate attempts to silence, intimidate or harm those speaking truth to power.

Demonstrations: Southampton

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will publish theoutcome ofthe investigation by Hampshire Police into the alleged assault on Hong Kong protestors by Chinese activists on Sunday 11 June.

Lord Sharpe of Epsom: These are extremely serious allegations which Hampshire Police are investigating. It would be inappropriate, at this stage, for me to comment further on an ongoing police investigation.Freedom of expression is fundamental to who we are as a country. We do not tolerate attempts to silence, intimidate or harm those speaking truth to power.As you would expect, Home Office officials work closely with the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, and the Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities, as well as other government departments, to ensure that the UK is a safe and welcoming place for both those who hold BN(O) status and other Hongkongers.I urge anyone who is concerned for their safety to contact the police.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Animal Welfare

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: To ask His Majesty's Government when they intend to introduce legislation against (1) puppy smuggling, (2) puppy farming, (3) pet theft, and (4) live animal exports.

Lord Benyon: We remain committed to tackling puppy smuggling, pet theft and to banning the export of live animals for fattening and slaughter. We will be taking forward these measures individually through the remainder of this parliament. Parliamentary business will be announced in the usual way. This Government takes the issue of low-welfare and illegal supply of puppies very seriously. Significant steps have already been taken to improve and update the laws on dog breeding in England to crack down on unscrupulous breeders who breed dogs purely for financial greed at the expense of animal welfare. Under The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, anyone in the business of breeding and selling dogs and/or who breeds three or more litters in a 12-month period needs to have a valid licence from their local authority. Licensees must meet strict statutory minimum welfare standards, including provisions to protect dogs from being bred from too often or at too early an age.

Fish: Conservation

Lord Carlile of Berriew: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to secure the salmonoid and coarse fish stocks in England and Wales against predation by cormorants and goosanders; and what consideration they have given to amending the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 for this purpose.

Lord Benyon: This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England only. The Government recognises the impact that fish-eating birds, such as cormorants and goosanders, can have on fish populations. Currently, Natural England can grant licences to shoot a limited number of cormorants and goosanders to prevent serious damage to inland fisheries, where it can be shown that non-lethal measures are failing to manage predation. In the case of cormorants, up to 3000 birds may be licensed to be shot each year. To improve the effectiveness of both non-lethal and lethal measures, Natural England encourages fisheries within the same river-catchment area to cooperate as part of an area-based licensing scheme. The Environment Agency also supports the employment of Fishery Management Advisers, who provide practical support to angling clubs and fisheries about protecting fish from cormorants and goosanders. Working together, Natural England and the Environment Agency help fisheries effectively manage predation problems without irreversibly harming the conservation status of these species. The Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) continues to be effective at providing licensing functions to permit the control of piscivorous birds to protect fisheries and in that regard the Government has no plans to amend the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.

Food: Prices

Lord Cruddas: To ask His Majesty's Government what they are doing to ensure food remains affordable, especially for the most disadvantaged.

Lord Benyon: We understand concerns about food price inflation, and its impact on the costs of living. That is why tackling inflation is this Government’s number one priority, with a plan to more than halve inflation this year, and we are monitoring all key agricultural commodities so that we can work with the food industry to address the challenges they face. The Government understands the pressures people are facing with the current exceptionally high cost of living. We continue to support households through our £94bn package, worth £3,300 on average per household this year and last. The recent high levels of overall inflation have primarily been driven by higher energy prices and pressures on global supply chains and there are further signs those are beginning to ease. May 2023 CPI food price inflation was 18.3%, a decrease compared to April 2023 when it was 19%. This means that food prices are still increasing but at a slower rate than before. Defra is taking action to maintain an efficient food supply chain by mitigating against any potential burdens or friction which could otherwise drive up consumer food prices. We continue to use regular engagement to work with retailers and producers to explore the range of measures they can take to ensure the availability of affordable food; for example, by maintaining value ranges, price matching and price freezing measures.

Tree Planting: Finance

The Earl of Leicester: To ask His Majesty's Government how many local authorities in (1) 2021, and (2) 2022, received grants from (a) the Local Authority Treescapes Fund, and (b) the Urban Tree Challenge Fund.

The Earl of Leicester: To ask His Majesty's Government howmuch fundingwas awarded to local authorities in (1) 2021, and (2) 2022, from (a) the Local Authority Treescapes Fund, and (b) the Urban Tree Challenge Fund.

The Earl of Leicester: To ask His Majesty's Government what the overall success rate of tree planting and survival was recorded from local authorities who received funds in (1) 2021, and (2) 2022, from (a) the Local Authority Treescapes Fund, and (b) the Urban Tree Challenge Fund.

Lord Benyon: Forestry is a devolved matter and so this answer is for England only. The Urban Tree Challenge Fund (UTCF) has an expected survival rate of 100% for standard trees in the first two years, dropping to 90% from year three. A selection of planting sites is inspected each year. Any excess failures will require remedial action for trees to be replaced. All post-planting reports for the Local Authority Treescape Fund (LATF) confirm a survival rate of at least 75%. The UTCF also includes three years of establishment payments for weeding, watering and aftercare to help secure successful establishment. In 2022, this government also offered extraordinary payments to UTCF holders to replace trees lost due to the hot and dry weather. Figures for these funds are provided in the table below. YearFundFunding awarded (£m)Local authorities funded2021-22LATF8.4422021-22UTCF8.4632022-23LATF6.7352021-23UTCF3.639

Tree Planting: Finance

The Earl of Leicester: To ask His Majesty's Government how much money has been awarded to date from the Woodland Creation Accelerator Fund; and how many local authorities have applied.

Lord Benyon: Forestry is a devolved matter; this answer is for England only. To date, a total of £9.5m of the Woodland Creation Accelerator Fund has been awarded. A total of 107 Local Authorities applied.

Infrastructure: Biodiversity

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask His Majesty's Government whatsteps they are taking to ensure that all nationally significant infrastructure projects deliver a net biodiversity gain.

Lord Benyon: The Government intends to mandate biodiversity net gain (BNG) for most new major development under the Town and Country Planning Act (1990) from November this year, for minor development from April 2024 and for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) from 2025. The Government consulted on our high-level proposals on BNG for NSIPs in 2022 and is now developing a draft biodiversity gain statement setting out the detailed proposals on BNG for NSIPs. The draft biodiversity gain statement will be published for consultation in due course.

Department for Education

China Scholarship Council

Baroness Helic: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of any national security risks associated with scholarships and funding from the Chinese Scholarship Council; and what discussions they have had with UK universities on this matter.

Baroness Helic: To ask His Majesty's Government what advice they have provided to UK Universities on any national security risks associated with scholarships and funding from the Chinese Scholarship Council.

Baroness Barran: The government regularly assesses threats posed to UK academia and works closely with the higher education (HE) sector. As a matter of longstanding policy, the department is unable to release information regarding threat assessments on the grounds of national security.The government is now going further in the Integrated Review Refresh 2023, launching a new and comprehensive review of legislative and other provisions designed to protect our academic sector, to identify what more we could or should be doing.No advice has been issued from the department to HE providers about scholarships and funding from the Chinese Scholarship Council.The government will not accept collaborations which compromise our national security.

Logistics: Training

Viscount Waverley: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of barriers faced by logistics businesses attempting to access the Apprenticeship Levy for their training requirements.

Baroness Barran: The department is committed to supporting employers within the logistics sector to make full use of apprenticeships to develop the skilled workforces they need, now and in the future. Employers have developed 37 high-quality apprenticeship standards within the transport and logistics sector, including transport and warehouse operations supervisor, supply chain leadership professional and network operations.We have fast-tracked applications to the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers (RoATP) for providers nominated by employers hosting the Large Goods Vehicle standard to tackle the urgent need for drivers. This allowed new providers to apply to the Register and be fast tracked to deliver for employers needing training.In May 2022, the department also introduced a temporary exception to the RoATP, allowing lead providers to subcontract to unregistered providers delivering training and testing for the acquisition of driving licences. This has increased training capacity and access to more of the available testing provision, and this exception is in place until 31 July 2023.In 2021, a new version of the Large Goods Vehicle Driver apprenticeship was launched and the department increased funding from £5,000 to £7,000 to support providers delivering the standard. Additionally, the department is reviewing the funding band for the Heavy Vehicle Service and Maintenance Technician apprenticeship standard, as requested by employers, and a decision will be made as soon as possible.The department is increasing investment in apprenticeships to £2.7 billion by the 2024/25 financial year and employers within the transport and logistics sector can access this funding for the high-quality apprenticeships they choose to meet their business needs and to help fill skills gaps within their industry.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Local Government: Workplace Pensions

Baroness Altmann: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byBaroness Scott of Bybrook on 19 May (HL7668), whether the Local Government Pension Scheme shouldstill expect that, in line with theLocal Government Pension Scheme (England and Wales): Governance and reporting of climate change risks consultation proposals,which closed on 24 November 2022, Local Government Pension Scheme trustees or managers will be required to produce Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures reports by December 2024.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: We recognise that clarity on the timetable for implementation will be helpful to funds as they make plans and secure appropriate advice. The Government wrote to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) Advisory Board on 15 June confirming we will not be implementing any requirements related to the governance or disclosure of climate-related financial risks for the financial year 2023/24. The Government is continuing to analyse the responses received to the consultation and will respond in due course.

Elections: Lobbying

Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: To ask His Majesty's Government when they received the draft code of practice required under the Elections Act 2022 from the Electoral Commission.

Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect to publish any amendments they intend to make to the draft code of practice under the Elections Act 2022.

Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect to bring the code of practice under the Election Act 2022 into force.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities received the Electoral Commission's draft code of practice for third-party campaigners on controlled expenditure, required by the Elections Act 2022, on the 19 of April 2023. In line with Section 29 of the Act, the Secretary of State is currently considering the draft code. Once approved, the code will be laid before Parliament, with or without modifications. If the draft code incorporates any such modifications, the Secretary of State will lay before Parliament a statement setting out the Secretary of State's reasons for making them.

General Elections: EU Nationals

Viscount Waverley: To ask His Majesty's Government what are the criteria by which residents of EU member states will be enabled to vote in the next general election.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: EU citizens have never been able to vote in UK parliamentary elections and the Government has no plans to change that. The right to vote in Parliamentary elections and choose the next UK Government is rightly restricted to British citizens and those with the closest historical links to our country.Resident citizens of Malta and Cyprus can vote in UK general elections as qualifying Commonwealth citizens. Citizens of the Republic of Ireland (ROI) can also vote in UK general elections based on historical ties and a long-standing reciprocal arrangement on voting rights between the two countries.

Landlord and Tenant: Complaints

Baroness McIntosh of Pickering: To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to review the resolution system for disputes between tenants and landlords.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: The Renters (Reform) Bill) will introduce a new private rented sector Ombudsman, ensuring that tenants and landlords have the same mechanisms to resolve disputes as exist in the social sector through The Housing Ombudsman.The new Ombudsman will act as an impartial decision-maker to which complaints can be escalated by private tenants where they have been unable to resolve these with their landlord. We are exploring whether the Ombudsman also could provide a mediation service for landlords to resolve disputes with their tenants without needing to take court action.Through the Social Housing (Regulation) Bill, the Government is taking action in the social housing sector to ensure that disputes between tenants and landlords can be resolved more effectively. This includes giving the Ombudsman the powers to issue a code of practice on complaint handling and issue orders to landlords to prevent the recurrence of issues identified through an investigation.In October 2022, we amended legislation to allow social housing residents with unresolved complaints to access the Housing Ombudsman directly without having to contact a designated person or wait eight weeks.

Department for Transport

Driving Tests

Baroness Kennedy of Cradley: To ask His Majesty's Government whatis their latest assessment of the time taken to secure a driving test appointment.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: People can book driving tests up to 6 months before they take their test.As of 19 June 2023, there were 545,138 car practical driving tests booked and 53,292 driving tests available within the next 24-weeks.

Driving under Influence: Drugs

Baroness Randerson: To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to publish the outcome of their consultation on 'Protecting the public from repeat drug-driving offenders' which closed on 28 June 2022.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The Government intends to conduct a call for evidence on parts of the Road Traffic Act. Although details are still being worked on, this would be expected to include issues around drink and drug driving, and the offence of failure to stop and report. The Government holds the view that a response to both calls for evidence should be published together. This will enable a more co-ordinated approach to be taken in addressing many of the issues.

Bicycles and Electric Scooters: Motorways

Lord Blencathra: To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they plan to hold with the police regarding the enforcement of section 148(c) of the Highways Act 1980 (the offence of depositing anything whatsoever on a highway) with specific regard to e-bikes and e-scooters.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: Law enforcement is an operational matter for the police, it is for them to enforce the law and investigate incidents using their professional judgement.The Government will continue to support the police to ensure they have the tools needed to enforce road traffic legislation, including in relation to offences involving e-cycles and e-scooters.

Heathrow Airport: Railways

Baroness Randerson: To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made on their plans for new guidance to replace Southern Access to Heathrow: Strategic Objectives, published on their website on 4 November 2019; and, further to the answer by the Minister of the State for Transport on 22 July 2020 (HC Deb col 2268), in which he said that he was keen to“move forward at pace”, what specific steps have been taken to progress this since that date.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: Government remains committed to improving rail access to Heathrow airport and our ambition is that any Southern Access to Heathrow scheme is funded and delivered by the private sector. Proposals need to be developed in a way that does not require government funding and secures significant benefits. We continue to discuss options and engage with the promoters as they work to resolve these outstanding issues.

Bicycles and Electric Scooters: Accidents

Lord Blencathra: To ask His Majesty's Government when they next plan to issue statistics regarding the number of pedestrians killed and injured by users of e-bikes and e-scooters.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The next release of statistics covering the number of pedestrians killed and injured in collisions involving e-scooters is planned for the end of September 2023, covering the publishing year 2022. There is no specific definition of an e-bike within the STATS19 data collection system, and therefore no reliable way of identifying these types of vehicles.

Railways: Health and Safety

Lord Patten: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the health and safety issues, if any, that may occur on train services lasting more than three hours where refreshments, including water, are not made available to customers in hot weather.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: Ensuring the welfare of passengers and rail staff remains a top priority for the Government, particularly during hot weather, which can increase the risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion or fainting. The Office of Rail and Road is responsible for safety oversight of the railway in Great Britain and works with train operators to encourage all passengers to follow the latest public health and travel advice. While no study has been undertaken specifically on the health and safety issues of water not being provided on services lasting more than three hours, the advice to passengers is to carry a bottle of water on all train journeys in hot weather so that they can keep hydrated. Most modern trains also have air conditioning installed to maintain cool temperatures, but where air conditioning is not available, operators ventilate trains as best as they can by opening windows throughout journeys and train doors at stations, where possible. Many operators also offer free water in hot weather and when services are delayed.

Logistics: Large Goods Vehicles

Viscount Waverley: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the reformed HGV levy on logistics businesses operating Euro VI HGVs.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The Government reformed the HGV levy in February 2019 to incentivise vehicle operators to move towards newer, cleaner, Euro VI vehicles to reduce emissions from HGVs and improve air quality. Euro VI rates were reduced by up to 10% and rates for other vehicles increased by 20%, benefitting logistics businesses operating Euro VI HGVs. The levy was suspended in August 2020 to support the haulage sector and aid COVID-19 pandemic recovery efforts. The suspension provided the opportunity to consider further reforms to the levy. Following public consultation in 2022, a new reformed levy will come into effect in August 2023 with a revised structure and with rates on average around 20% lower than they were before the suspension. The consultation included analyses of the impacts of the changes, although no changes were proposed relating to retaining a differential between Euro VI and other vehicles.

Avanti West Coast: North Wales

Baroness Randerson: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they were informed in advance of plans announced by Avanti to reduce the number of services they will run between North Wales and London for a period covering the whole school summer holidays; and if so, when they were informed.

Baroness Randerson: To ask His Majesty's Government, following reports that Avanti will reduce the number of services they will run between North Wales and London for a period covering the whole school summer holidays, what assessment they have made ofAvanti's compliance with the terms of their contract during that time; and what assessment they have made of the impact of this reduction in service on the tourism industry in the areas served by this route.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: Department for Transport officials and Ministers regularly meet Avanti West Coast (AWC) senior management to hold them to account for matters within their control. Since AWC drivers largely ceased volunteering for rest day working in July 2022 the company has made significant progress and reduced Avanti-caused cancellations to 1.4 per cent at the end of May, while running more trains than before July 2022. AWC informed the Department in advance that it anticipated needing to temporarily remove a small number of services in order to ensure reliability for passengers. Reducing services to a level operable without rest day working will reduce the incidence of unpredictable short notice cancellations which are especially disruptive to passengers. The Government and AWC have taken care to minimise the impact on passengers and to protect the important tourist traffic to North Wales.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Syria and Turkey: Humanitarian Aid

Lord Selkirk of Douglas: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to offer to give (1) assistance, and (2) drinkable water, to Turkey and Syria following the earthquakeof 6 February.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK has provided lifesaving and life-sustaining assistance to those in need in Turkey and northwest Syria, committing £43 million in aid. In Syria, the UK provided £4.3 million to the White Helmets for life-saving search and rescue and emergency relief operations. In addition, we provided 242 tonnes of vital relief items to help provide protection against the freezing winter weather conditions. In Turkey, the UK provided: search and rescue capability; specially trained dogs; and treatment to over 19,000 patients by UK medical teams. UK funding has also contributed to restoring the supply of clean water, reaching an estimated 263,000 people.